New Kickstarter 3D printer: the ultra-cool DeltaBot

Few online business startups are as successful as Kickstarter, and this is especially true of those that started before Kickstarter was around. 3D printers have a good track record there, too; of the nine printers (eight plus the Filabot) we’ve covered from Kickstarter, all met their funding goals, with the exception of the PandaBot, where the campaign was canceled by its creators due to their wanting to find funding elsewhere, though it was well on its way to being funded. That’s a high success rate, and there’s another entrant to likely continue the trend; it’s called DeltaMaker, and it’s rather reminiscent of the Rostock design.

The four-man engineering team wanted an accurate printer with a small footprint, and they wanted it to be more aesthetically pleasing than a toaster oven. Well done. With the chosen “delta robot” design, the motions of the three individual vertical sliders can be small while the combined action can move the extrusion head much more quickly and smoothly than with horizontal stepping. In fact, the DeltaMaker makes use of the Kickstarter-funded open-source MakerSliders Linear Bearing System and the QU-BD Hot End. As such, this printer performs nicely, achieving 100 micron layers on objects of 9 inch diameter with 11 inch height, with a footprint of what seems to be less than a square foot, which is probably the best build envelope to footprint ratio ye

A lucky 5 got theirs for $500, but there are plenty for less than $1600 left. The retail price will probably be around $2000, which is pretty good for such a precise and stylish 3D printer.

About Cameron Naramore

Cameron, Senior Staff Writer, is a technology enthusiast that can better write about 3D printing than he can ride a bike. His interest in 3D printing is mostly driven by his desire to become a cyborg. He enjoys philosophical conversation and is also fond of poetry and Star Trek. Connect with him on Google+.

I have mixed views on some of the 3d printer kickstarter projects. It’s so evident it’s all about the money. At the very least it helps spread the technology, but is it by taking advantage of unknowing people?* these projects don’t bring anything new, it’s the same reprap with a different packaging… but more expensive (!). You can build a reprap for 400 bucks (not sure about rostock, maybe around 600).

So the 40k – 100k are not for backing up say, research, or equipment for a new original thing, but for establishing a business. I thought that was not the point of kickstarter, that would be alright in indiegogo I guess.

Cameron Naramore

The funds generally go to injection molded parts and/or metal frames, which improves precision and extends the life of the units. The people that are in the market for fully-assembled printers are not people that have any desire to build a RepRap. I like open source, so I understand your frustration. But this is America, Land of Box Stores. So yes, it’s about the money.

I’ve noticed that you have written about Kickstarter campaigns and thought you might be interested in ours.

We are launching our very own crowdfunding campaign for our company, Protos Eyewear, to crowdfund custom fit eyewear made via 3D printing.

Unfortunately, Kickstarter no longer allows eyewear, so we have to work extra hard to get the word out. We would love to get your help and support in any way, shape or form. If you would like to write about our compelling project, then please do check us out at: protoseyewear.com

We would be forever grateful if you can share our project with your readers, friends, or whoever you think would be interested, as we prepare for our launch!

If you have any inquiries or concerns regarding our campaign, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

Xavier
Protos Eyewear

Cameron Naramore

Hi Xavier,

I have actually already written about your campaign; it just hasn’t been posted yet. It will likely be posted tomorrow. I didn’t know that Kickstarter doesn’t do eyewear anymore. Do you know why that is?

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